Tennis

ROUNDUP: Federer falls to fellow Swiss as Stan stuns second seed By Bill Scott, dpa

Federer falls to fellow Swiss as Stan stuns second seed By Bill Scott, dpa Monte Carlo - Roger Federer lost for only the third time in his career to a compatriot, going out to Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday at the Monte Carlo Masters for his earliest clay exit in five years.

Wawrinka played to his own strengths on his favourite surface to leave his second-seeded Davis Cup team-mate and fellow Olympic doubles gold medallist flat-footed in the third-round defeat in one hour, 50 minutes.

Federer beaten by Wawrinka in Swiss showdown

Federer beaten by Wawrinka in Swiss showdown Monte Carlo  - Roger Federer failed badly to lift his clay game on a grey day as the three-time finalist went out in the third round to Swiss Davis Cup companion Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 Thursday.

The rain-hit day was a drain on all involved, with matches starting five hours late on the heavy clay.

Federer was well off his game against his good friend, as Wawrinka won for the first time in their series after two ATP defeats.

1ST LEAD: Nadal and Federer open clay season with solid wins By Bill Scott, dpa

Nadal and Federer open clay season with solid wins By Bill Scott, dpa Monte Carlo  - Roger Federer and Davis Cup team-mate Stan Wawrinka advanced into a Swiss showdown at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday as Rafael Nadal made a winning start to another clay-court marathon season.

Newly-married second seed Federer had to fight through as Italian Andreas Seppi saved three match points before exiting 6-4, 6-4 to the 13-time Grand Slam champion.

SIDEBAR: Tennis players missed out on weekend Federer wedding

Tennis players missed out on weekend Federer wedding Monte Carlo - Fellow ATP players were not a part of the mix as Roger Federer married longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec last weekend in an all-but-secret Basel ceremony. The hometown vows for the Swiss number 2 and his pregnant companion of nine years were kept strictly among friends and family at a location the new groom still won't reveal.

Federer 'honeymoon' starts on the Monte Carlo clay

Federer 'honeymoon' starts on the Monte Carlo clay Monte Carlo - Roger Federer obtained the all-clear from pregnant wife Mirka before preparing to line up for the start of his clay season at the Monte Carlo Masters, the tennis newlywed revealed on Tuesday. "Mirka was completely relaxed about whatever decision I took," said world number 2 Federer, who opens at the Country Club on Wednesday against Italian Andreas Seppi.

"I feel like I have been on a honeymoon for the last years, so I don't feel necessarily I need to go somewhere, to a special place, to celebrate with her.

Injured Gasquet to miss Monte Carlo

Injured Gasquet to miss Monte Carlo Monte Carlo - French hope Richard Gasquet will miss his second straight major event as he skips the Monte Carlo Open starting on Sunday with the right shoulder injury that earlier kept him out of Miami. The world number 23 has been bothered with the problem since beginning his 2009 ATP season in the zone with semi-final showings in Brisbane, Sydney and Dubai during a memorable January.

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